The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-07-07
M'ELHoNE's MEMORIES.
The Old Stenographer's Recollections OF
webster, Clay and Cass.


The Old stenoErapher's Recollections Of
Webster, Clay and Cass.
Mr.. McElhone has been stenographer
of the House with one year in the
Senate) since, he was seventeen years
old, having gone there right from col
lege He is q man a little above
medium height, with sandy gray hair,
cropped short, and whiskers of the
same shape. He moves about-or
rather jumps about-thc House with
nervous activity, and his fingers are
always in motion. Heis ellinformed in
parliamentary matters, is a reader Of
books, and has fund of recollections
Of his associations with public men who
hnve been in Congress since 1S49. He
has one of the finest private libraries
to be found anywhere. Seated in his
den, he is surrounded by rare books
and souvenirs. His books of reference
cover almost every conceivable inquiry.
He. first appeared as Congressional
stenographer during the compromise
Congress. He was first in the Senate
II remember" he said, as he sat in
his study the other evening talking
with reporter, .'that I could hardly
keep from laughing the first speech ]
reported. 1t was Senator S. N. Downs,
a tail, ungainly man with the most
| ridiculous gestures. He stood with his
shoulders thrown back, and all his
gestures throughout the speech was
made behind. 1t was q most
| absurd figure. But he was a
| nice man, as pleasant and agree
able as ever you saw. Most of the
statesmen of those days were agreeable
and polite in their manners. In those
days the Congressional reporters came
from England. They did not take
every thing said, as is done now. They
reported just what they thought
proper, and left the rest with barely a
reference. They exercised their own
discretion. You will see by looking
over the old records that they would
wind up with Messrs. So-and-So and
So-and-So spoke upon the question.
Mr.. Calhoun, then in the House, used
to be badly treated as to reports. The
stenographers did not have to report
him unless they wanted to, and, as he
was difficult, they did not devote much
time to him. remember / reported a
speech for him when / first went to the
House. was so small then that mem
bers used to take me for page, greatly
to my indignation. Calhoun had a
rapid, conversational style of speaking,
that was difficult to report for those
who got along easily with the rolling
measures of Webster's eloquence or the
| more artificial oratory of Clay. He was
q pleasant man. He stood straight,
with dignified bearing, and like Web
ster, was always kind and gentle with
boys.
webster was a comparatively easy
man to report" he went on. ''His
language ran SO smooth and musical,
and was so full of force it seemed. in.
| spired and spontaneous. The art in his
speeches was not as easily detected as
| in the speeches made by Clay. could
always tell when he was going to make
speech Ordinarily he was careless
wearing steelpen coat and a high
black cravat. When saw him in his
blue coat with bright brass buttons, hi:
eyes bright his manner alert and
active, sitting squarely up in his seat
seeing and hearing and knowing every
| thing. Iknew he was going to speak
He had a most wonderful power Of ex
PLANTATION, and could make the mos,
difficult point SO clear that you would
! wonder why you did not see it that way
before. He possessed great calmnes.
and repose, and made few gestures il
speaking. Clay had way of throwing
himself back when he spoke. Hi
voice was well under control and never
harsh. In private life he was irascible
, In public he was suave, and remarkable
for his great politeness. Benton did no
/ like him; did not regard him as maj
, of any learning. Benton used tw,
| pairs of glasses when he read. HI
, | would have one on his nose and woult
hold the other in his hand, drawing then
back and forth to get the focus, whil
, he looked at q book and questioned tn,
, Kentucky orator as he might school
| boy. He was much disguised becaus
Clay pronounced Chihuahua just as tn
English sound of letters might indicate
, instead of .Che-wa-wa.' Clay nearl,
always had one shoe unlaced and hi
trousers tucked up inside of it.
There probably never was man $
thoroughly American in Congress a
General Cass. He was great travele
land reader of travels. He was yer
. fond also of ale, but he would neve
drink it from glass. It must be in d
old stone pitcher, and he would put tina
, up to his mouth and drink from th
rim. In those days there was not muc
time lost in parliamentary discussion
. The rules were generally better know
to the members, and if one was violai
!, ing them all that was necessary was +
call attention to II. There was no nee